PHONES 'CHIP AWAY' AT KIDS' ATTENTION

Ofsted boss backs class ban

- ALEXANDER BROWN Assistant Political Editor

SOCIAL media is chipping away at pupils' attention spans and promoting disrespectful behaviour, Ofsted's chief inspector has warned.

Sir Martyn Oliver used his annual report to declare that schools should be a sanctuary for children away from their mobile phones, which he said clearly drive disruptive behaviour.

His comments come amid a growing debate over how much phones should be allowed in schools.

He said: "Access to social media for young people and mobile phone use in schools have become perennial topics. Schools need to help their pupils navigate the risks and pitfalls of their online lives, but there is no need to facilitate access on school grounds.